RANK Synonyms: 373 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'rank' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid , fusty , malodorous , musty , noisome , putrid , and stinking . While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. // rank cigar smoke

Q: How do 'fusty' and 'musty' relate to one another, in the sense of 'rank'?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age. // a fusty attic // the musty odor of a damp cellar

Q: When is 'malodorous' a more appropriate choice than 'rank'?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. // malodorous fertilizers

Q: In what contexts can 'noisome' take the place of 'rank'?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. // a stagnant, noisome sewer

Q: When might 'putrid' be a better fit than 'rank'?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. // the putrid smell of rotting fish

Q: How are the words 'stinking' and 'fetid' related as synonyms of 'rank'?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. // prisoners were held in stinking cells // the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

rank 1 of 3

verb

Definition of rank next

as in to be

to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs

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Relevance

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type most critics would rank him among our best actors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rank

2 of 3

noun

ˈraŋk

as in ranking

the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement attained the highest rank in the Freemasons

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as in dignity

high position within society remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite

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as in row

a series of people or things arranged side by side rank upon rank of cavalry came thundering down the hill

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as in category

usually ranks plural one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels

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rank

3 of 3

adjective

as in rampant

growing thickly and vigorously covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them

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as in stinking

having an unpleasant smell smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air

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as in obvious

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"

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as in absolute

having no exceptions or restrictions a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of rank?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

When is malodorous a more appropriate choice than rank?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

In what contexts can noisome take the place of rank?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When might putrid be a better fit than rank?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of rank?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rank

Verb

The only one that did not improve was North Dakota, which already was ranked highest among the states. —

Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024 The smash jumps from No. 24 to No. 4 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles ranking. —

Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

In 2022, after acquiring the social network, Musk infamously purged Twitter’s ranks and fired 80 percent of its employees in the first six months, and then made a series of management decisions that ultimately threw the company into further financial disarray. —

Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024 Snoop’s recent milestone of achieving Billboard Top 10 hits across four consecutive decades—joining the ranks of Jay-Z and Mariah Carey—only highlights his enduring relevance in the industry. —

Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Many of those still rank among Pixar's best films, have spawned sequels and featured the voice talents of instantly recognizable stars. —

Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2024 The Denver Chute Out, Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour, features top bull riders squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls in North America. —

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rank

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank

Verb

And there are no pockets—a design that helps the jacket fit into a pocket.

The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
But the court also stated that there were triable issues of fact with regard to the duration of the bite.

Jason Green, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024

Definition of be

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Style

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Last Updated: 21 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of rank

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